Franchising Dez: The Pros and Cons for Bryant

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GREEN BAY, WI - JANUARY 11: Dez Bryant #88 of the Dallas Cowboys waits for a replay on a call late in the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the 2015 NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lambeau Field on January 11, 2015 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Dez Bryant officially got the franchise tag on Monday from the Dallas Cowboys, which was something he said would anger him if it happened.

We haven't heard officially from Bryant yet about the matter, but his agent did speak up and say the tag wasn't a "terrible thing" for his client. He did mention that probably means Bryant will miss offseason activities, effectively holding out, as long as he doesn't have a long-term deal. Of course, he could always hold out once the season starts too, but it's hard to envision Bryant doing that.

So why is Bryant irked at the tag? Well, obviously it isn't long-term security that Bryant — and all players — covet. In the NFL, especially, players' careers are so fragile, they want security moving forward and it's hard to blame them for that.

On the plus side, Bryant will make $12.8 million guaranteed in 2015 playing under the tag, which is more money than the star receiver has made in his five-year career. That's big-time.

So while it is disappointing for Bryant to not have a long-term deal in place, the two sides still have until July 15 to work something out, and most likely will. If that doesn't happen, Bryant's going to get a nice one-year payday and have a chance to further solidify himself as a top 2-3 wide receiver in the NFL.